The Parish Church of Dunkeld has three places of worship. Within Dunkeld there is the Cathedral and Little Dunkeld Kirk. 10 miles from Dunkeld up Strathbraan is also Amulree Kirk.
The Cathedral sits on the north side of the River Tay on a site of Christian worship stretching back to the late 6th century. Construction was started in the mid 13th century but the building was only complete for around 100 years when the Reformation, in 1560, led to serious damage. The Choir was restored around 1600 and continues to be used as the Parish church today.
Little Dunkeld Kirk is on the southern side of the River Tay, a ten minute walk across the Dunkeld bridge from the Cathedral. It was designed and built by John Stewart in 1798 and is probably the fourth building on this site. It is a typical 18th century preaching kirk with a central pulpit against the southern wall around which are arranged the pews and the gallery. The interior has been altered and refurbished and has a bright and colourful look. The side pews have been replaced by chairs. The graveyard contains interesting stones including two ‘Adam and Eve’ stones and Niel Gow’s grave.
As the Parish Church of Dunkeld, we are part of the Church of Scotland. The Church of Scotland is Presbyterian in structure, and all services are usually conducted in this style, and have been since the settlement after the Glorious Revolution in 1688. The term Presbyterian refers to the style of church government based on a series of courts (or committees). Each local church has a Kirk Session which consists of the minister and a number of elders. Each minister and an elder from every parish is a member of the Presbytery which has oversight of a larger area; Dunkeld is a member of the Perth Presbytery. The supreme court of the church is the General Assembly which meets annually in Edinburgh.
Hymns are from the 4th edition of the Church Hymnary and our choir supports the congregation’s singing.
Visitors and children are always warmly welcomed at any of our services. At the Cathedral, local children go to the Chanonry after the second hymn. For children who prefer to stay in church ‘Activity Packs’ are available; just ask one of the elders at the door.
After the service everyone is encouraged to stay and chat over a cup of tea and coffee.
During the summer there are early evening ‘Songs of Silence’ services which last for 45 minutes. These are reflective in nature, using Taizé music and other similar styles.
The main morning service is at 11:00am. From Easter Sunday to Remembrance we are in the Cathedral and then from Remembrance to Palm Sunday we are in Little Dunkeld Kirk.
Dunkeld Cathedral – Currently we meet in Little Dunkeld Kirk. We worship in the cathedral from Easter to Remembrance Sunday. Disabled Access & Loop Sound System
Little Dunkeld Kirk – 11:00am
We meet in Little Dunkeld from the Sunday after Remembrance up to and including Palm Sunday.
Disabled Access & Loop Sound System
Amulree – 2.15pm
Services are held every third Sunday of the month. Communion is celebrated at the June and November services.
Rivendell House
A service is held in the local residential home on the third Thursday of the month.
Celebration of the Sacrament of Communion
In Dunkeld, Communion is celebrated on the first Sundays of March, June, September and December. At present, because of Covid, we only have the one service, at 11:00am and will consider restarting an evening service when circumstances change.
Sacrament of Baptism
The Church of Scotland practises infant baptism as well as adults. Anyone interested in enquiring about baptism for themselves or their children should contact the Minister.
Weddings
For information on Weddings contact the Minister. For help such as recommended readings, potential hymns or music, please go to our Weddings page.
Online Worship – Services, reflections, readings and various resources can be found on our YouTube channel Dunkeld Cathedral Online.